Electric switch



w. R. WALKER ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Nov. 25, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet w. R.WALKER ELECTRIC SWITCH July 10, 1928. 1,676,752

Filed Nov. 25, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ms ATTORNE Patented July10, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE.

WARREN R. WALKER, OF GREAT KILLS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO COOPER HEWITTELECTRIC COMPANY, OF HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

ELECTRIC swrrcn.

Applicatibn filed November 25, 1924. Serial No. 752,099.

My present invention relates to switches of' the liquid flow type. lItrelates particularly to the construction of an auxiliary cup for the endof one or more of the terminals 6 ofsuch a switch which cup serves tohold a quantity of the conducting liquid at such terminal end at allpositions the switch whereby circuit is made and broken in the switchbetween two bodies of the conducting l0 liquid and whereb switch areprotecte from any arcing whlch might occur in the operation of theswitch. My invention further relates to the method of making the switchof the present invention.

I have discovered that such a protecting cup is for some purposesadvantageously mounted in the switch by mounting it on the end of asupporting arm which in turn is mounted to the interior wall of theswitch envelope such as are commonly known in the art. This arm may beof varying length from a very short'stub of almost negligible length toone reaching substantially the entire length of the interior of theswitch envelope. according to the particular needs and conditions forwhich the switch is made. In the embodiment of my invention as shown inthe accompanying drawings said supporting arm is made of thesame'material as the switch envelope and said protccting cup, which areof glass, and has extending therethrough from the outside of the switchenvelope wall to the interior of the protecting on the electrode whoseend is to be protectec by the liquid to be held in said cup. By thisarrangement said arm serves both as a support for the cup and as meansfor insulating said electrode from the conducting liquid in the switchenvelope other than that contained within the said cup. In the drawings,

Fig. l, is a vertical elevation view in longitud'nal section of amercury switch showinga switch envelope of an insulating material suchis glass having mounted therein a glass cup in the walls of the envelopeand mounted thereto by an arm of glass through which extends anelectrode so from the exterior envelope into said cup, another electrodeis shown sealed through the envelope wall and terminating within theterminals of the the envelope, a quantity of conducting liquid is shownin the envelope and another quantity in said cup, the switch being shown65 in the open circuit position.

Fig. 2, is a sectional view of the switch of Fig. 1 shown as beingtilted into the closed circuit position,

Fig. 3, is a longitudinal sectional view in elevation of a modified formof the switch of Fig. 1 and in the closed circuit position,

Fig. 4, is a view similar to that of Fig. 3 showing the same switch inthe open circuit position,

Fig. 5, is a longitudinal sectional view in elevation of a timedelayclosing switch embodying the cup structure of the switch of Fig. 1andshown in the open circuit position,

Fig. 6, is a View similar to that of Fig. 5 showing the same switch asbeing tilted into the closed circuit position and with the conductingliquid thereof as flowing from the open circuit position into the closedcircuit position,

Fig. 7, is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing the conducting liquid ashaving completely flowed and the switch being in the closed circuitposition, i

Fig. 8, is a sectional view along the line 88 of Fig. 7, showing detailsof the time lag producing element of the switch,

Fig. 9, is a longitudinal sectional view in elevation of a switchsimilar to that of Figs. 5, 6 and 7 in which the baflle is formed in twoparts, one hinged to the other for I movement from the normal positionacross the envelope in the direction away from the electrode cup but notmovable from the normal position in the opposite, direction. In thisform of my invention the swinging in one direction of the lower part ofthe baflie permits a rapid and practically ina stantaneous flow of themercury from the circuit making side of the bafile to the other sidethereof; in the circuit making movement the fiow of mercury will quicklyclose or move the baflie into its normal position across the switchenvelope to inject the time lag element in the performance of theswitch,

Fig. 10, is a sectional view taken along .ably of the same material asthat of said below said rim 5 of cup the line 10-10 of Fig. 9. andlooking in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. ll, isa view similar to that of Fig. 9 with the switch in theclosed circuit position, and

Fig. 12 is an embodiment of the cup and arm of my invention in theswitch having some of the features of the switches of Figs. 1 and 3.

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing the sealed vitreous envelope 1 carriesat one end the electrode 2 sealed through the wall thereof andterminating within the main body of the switch. At the opposite end ofthe envelope 1 from electrode 2 the arm 3 preferenvelope 1 is sealed tosaid envelope 1 and extends inwardl toward said termlnal 2 and supportsat its end the cup 4 also preferably of the same niaterial as envelope 1and arm-3. Said cup 4 has its rim formed to overhang the interior of thecup. The. electrode 6 extends from the exterior of said envelope ,1,longitudinally through said support member 3, and terminates in theinterior of said cup 4, said arm 3 serving to completely insulate thatportion of electrode 6 within envelope 1 from the conducting liquid 7 ofsaid envelope except at that portion thereof which is within said cup 4.This portion or end of the electrode 6 which is within said cup 4connects to the main body of conducting liquid 7 in the closed circuitposition of the switch through the conducting liquid held within saidcup 4 as shown in Fig. 2. In the open circuit position of the switch asshown in Fig. 1 a part 7' of the conducting liquid 7 is held within saidcup 4, the level of said body of liquid 7 having fallen, in thisposition, to a level.

In the use and operation of the embodiment of my invention as shown inFigs. 1 and 2 for closing the circuit therethrough the switch is tiltedfrom the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 2 whereby anelectrical conducting path is established between said electrodes 2 and6 in the manner well known in the liquid switch art. For opening thecircuit through the switch it is tilted from the position shown in Fig.

2 to the position in which the two bodies 7 and 7'. separate as is shownin Fig. 1.

In the manufacture of the switch of my invention the glass supportingand insulating arm 3 is first formed about the electrode 6 and extendingsubstantially throughout that portion about the length of said electrode6 that is covered with glass in the finished switch. The cup 4 also isformed about.the inner end of electrode 6 and fused to said support arm3. The envelope 1 is formed in tubular shape with a tubulatlon at oneend thereof large enough to admit said cup 4 which is passedtherethrough and the said tabulation and the outer end of arm 3 fusedtogether, the tubulation being, in one method, flattened out to form aseal in which is incorporated the fused portion of arm 3 or a partthereof. This seal is indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 at the flattenedportion 8. This method is adapted for economical and rapid performanceby machine. Electrode 2 is then (or before this operation) sealed intothe opposite end of envelope 1 in a position axially aligned therewith.The fact that the cup 4 and electrode 2 are centrally positioned axiallyin envelope 1 permits these to be assembled without having to regardwhether they are other than axially aligned permit a rapidity ofoperation that results in a great saving I of time and in the use ofsimple and comparatively cheap assembling machinery. The envelope 1 isthen supplied with a proper quantity of conducting liquid 7 such asmercury and when desired an atmosphere of a spark quenching gas such ashydrogen and the envelope sealed-off as at the sealoff 9. The seal-ofl'9' is formed directly over the outer edge of the cup 4 as shown in Figs.1 and 2 in those cases when minimum size is desired, this for thepurpose of providing an increased distance from the point of liquid makeand break to the envelope wall in order to prevent as much as possiblethe impinging of any such are on said envelope wall.

In the modified form of my invention as shown in 3 and 4 is shown aswitch similar in all respects to that of Figs. 1 and 2 except that arm3, cup 4, and electrode 8 are mounted lower on the switch envelope thanthese parts in Figs. 1 and 2 and that the straight electrode 12 isreplaced by a bent electrode 12 which extends downwardly into themercury 7 and permits of the use of a smaller quantity of mercury thanmay be necessary in that of Figs. 1 and 2. By extending electrode 12 inclose proximity and preferably to a point under cup 4 the amount ofmercury 7 in the switch is, when desired, cut down. The operation ofthis form is substantially the same as that of the form shown in Figs. 1and 2.

In other forms of my invention I drop the cup 4, or the cup 4 electrode6 and arm 3 down nearer the bottom of the switch envelope to allow morespace above the cup 4. In still other forms I make electrode 6substantially of the shape of electrode 12 and the arm 3 shapedaccordingly. This permits of the advantages of rapid machine manufactureas above described for the first form and at the same time permits of agreater space above cup 4, and alsoof'the use of a.minimumquantity ofmercury in the switch.

In Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 is shown my invention as embodied in a time lagmake I cuit position and the actual establishmentof a. current path inthe switch. This form .is similar to that of Figs. 1 and 2 with theexception that there issubstituted for elec- .trode 2 an electrode 2which is shorter than (ill electrode 2 and whichsupports and connectswith the battle 1.0 which is of conducting material and the electrodeextension 11 which also is of conducting material and which extends frombaffle along and close to the bottom of envelope 1 to a point-near andpreferably under cup 4.. Battle 10 carries near its upper edge the airport 12 and in its lower edge the mercury port 13, the' latter to allowthe mercury to flow at a restricted rate of flow from the open circuitposition to the closed circuit position thereof and the former to permitthe passage of gas in the switch from one side of the bafiie to theother to equalize the pressure thereat as said mercury flows. The spacebetween bafile 10 and the point 01'' sealin of electrode 2' is providedof such size as to hold all or substantially all of the mercury 7 whenthe switch is in the open circuit position.

In the use and operation of this embodiment of my invention to closcacircuit therethrough with a time lag between the moving of the switchfrom the open circuit position to closed circuit position the switch istilted from the position shown in Fig. 5 to that shown in Fig. (i inwhich position mercury 7 flows at an impeded rate through opening 13until it attains equilibrium in the now lower end of-the envelope. Uponreaching above the level of the rim of cup 4' mercury 7 joins and uniteswith mercury 7 thereby completing a current path between electrode 1l122and electrode 6 and thereby through the switch. The time required forthe establishment of current path through the switch in this manner maybe controlled by varying the amount of mercury 7 in the switch, the sizeof opening 13, or opening 12, or both openings 12 and 13, or theposition of baffle 10 with respect to the ends of the switch, the sizeof one or both of the two chambers into which bafiie 10 divides envelope1, or the position of 'cup 4. or any combination of these variations anddisclosed in my copending application Serial Number 734.184 to whichreference is hereby made. When the switch is tilted from the position ofFig. 7 to that of Fig. 5 the mercury 7 immediately flows from connectionwith mercury 7 thereby breaking the current path through the switch.

By placing baffle 10 in such a position with respect to the cup 4 thatthe mercury 7 is held above the level of the edge thereof for anappreciable length of time during its flow throughport 13 from theclosed to the I open circuit position a time lag break and time lag makeswitch is obtained.

In Fig, 12 is shown a form of my invention embodying features ofswitches of Figs. 1 and 3. In this switch the electrode 6' and theelectrode supporting arm 3' are bent so that they enter the interior ofthe switch envelope 1 at substantially the middlethereof and extenddownwardly toward the bottom of the wall of said envelope. This centralposition of the arm 3' and electrode 6" permits of rapid manufacture ofthe switch and, assembly of the switch parts in a machine. Further theposition of the cup 4 near the bottom of the envelope allows sufiicientarcing space between the top-of the cup and the envelope wall with theresult of the permitting of the construction of a switch which willoccupy a minimum amount of space at a Very low cost and having all theoperational advantages of the switches of Figs. 1 and '3. The electrode12 of this switch like that of Fig.3 is centrally sealed into the switchand extends downwardly into the body of mercury 7. The dashed line inthis figure indicates the position of the mercury in the closed circuitposition of the switch. The operation of the switch of these figures issubstantially the same as that of Figs. 1 and 3.

In Figs. 9. 10 and 11 is showna switch whose envelope 1 supports at oneend the insulating arm 3 which supports at its inner end-the cup 4 andthrough the length of which extends, from the exterior of the envelope,the electrode 6. Through the opposite end of the switch is sealed theelcctrodc 16 which carries thereon the battle 1()14 which extendssubstantially across the interior of said envelope 1, the two parts10-14 thereof being, joined at the horizontal hinge 1:"), The saidelectrode 16 extends through said part 10' of said battle substantiallyhorizontally and then on the cup side of said battle part 10 turnsdirectly downward in the part 17 thereof which serves to preventmovement of the battle part 14 from the normal position across theswitch envelope in the direction of said cup 4, the said electrode 16being extended from said part 17 horizontally in the part 18 intoproximity with said cup 4. The hinge construction permits the movementof the lower bathe part 14. away from the normal position across theinterior of the envelope 1 in the direction away from said cup 4.

In the use and operation of this embodiment of my invention and startingfrom the closed circuit position as shown in Fig. 11 the switch istilted in a count-er clockwise direction to permit the mercury body 7 toflow from the circuit making position. On said tilting the weight of thesaid mercury body 7 opens or swings the battle part 14 on lit) I saidhinge 15 to permit of ra id flow of the mercury into that portion 0 theenvelope 1 which is on the side of the bafile away from said cup 4 andtherefore ready almost instantaneously after movement. from the circuitmaking position into the circuit breaking position for movement backinto the circuit making position and with the normal time lag element issaid circuit making operation due to the restricted flow of the mercurybody 7 by the small opening 13 in the bafile part 14. On the tiltingfrom the open circuit position of the switch into the closed circuitposition of the switch the flow of mercury will move said batlle part 14into its normal position across the switch envelope 1 and the narrowpassage 13 will restrict the mercury flow into the circuit closingposition and. inject. a time lag into that part of its operation.

I claim:

1. In an electric switch of the liquid flow type, a sealed envelope ofglass, a support,

arm in said envelope and unitary therewith, a cup formed on said arm,the opening of said cup being parallel to the longitudinal axis of thetube, and electrode sealed into said envelope and terminating thereinand another electrode sealed into the envelope and terminating in saidcup, and a body-of mercury in said envelope in quantity sullicient toextend into said cup and to connect said electrodes in a closed circuitposition of the switch and to form separate pools about said electrodesin an open circuit position thereof. Q

2. In an electric switch of the liquid flow type, an envelope, a supportarm carried by the wall of said envelope and formed unitary therewith, acup on the end of said support arm, the opening of said cup beingparallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube, conducting liquid in saidenvelope, and in said cup, electrodes terminating in said onvelope andin said cup and one of said electrodes extending from the outside of theswitch longitudinally through said arm and terminating within said cup.

3. In an electric switch of theliquid flow type, a sealed envelope ofvitreous material, an arm in said envelope formed unitary with andcarried by the wall thereof, a cup on the end of said arm, the openingof said cup being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube,conducting liquid in said envelope and in said cup and electrodes sealedthrough the wall of said envelope and terminating within said envelopeand said cup, respectively.

4. In an electric switch of the liquid flow type, a sealed envelope ofvitreous material, an arm in said envelope formed unitary with andcarried by the wall thereof, a cup on the end of said arm, the openingof said cup being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube,conducting liquid in said envelope and in said cup, electrodes sealedthrough the wall of said envelope and terminating within said envelopand said cup respectively, and an atmospheie of hydrogen in saidenvelope.

5. In an'electric switch of the liquid flow type, a sealed envelope ofvitreous material,

a support arm mounted within said envelope and formed unitary therewith,a cup carried by said arm, the opening of said cup being parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the tube,

aconducting liquid in saidenvelope and in.

said. cup, an eleetrode'sealed through the wall of said envelope andterminating in said conducting liquid at normal operating a supgaort armmounted within said envelope ormed unitarywith and mounted to the wallthereof, a cup carried by said arm,

the opening of said on being parallel to the longitudinal axis of t etube, a conducting liquid in said envelope and in said cup, an electrodesealed through the wall of said envelope and terminating in saidconductng liquid at normal operating positions of the switch and anelectrode extendin outside the switch longitudinally tlirough said armand terminating within said cup, and a filling of spark quenching gas insaid envelope.

7. In an electric switch of the liquid flow type, a sealed vitreousenvelope, a baffle mounted substantially across the interior of saidenvelope dividing it into two chambers, said baflle being separate fromthe said envelope and being formed to admit the passage of fluentconducting material thereby,

an electrode sealed through the wall of said container, a secondelectrode sealed therethrough,a wall of vitreous material sealed to saidenvelope about and terminating above said second electrode, mercury insaid envelope connecting with first said electrode and extending betweenthe limits of said wall about second said electrode and connecting withsaid second electrode in the closed circuit position of the switch, andinan open circuit position of the switch positioned at a level belowthat of the upper limit of said wall about said second electrode, saidbafile being hinged to permit its movement in one direction only fromits normal position across said envelope.

8. In an electric switch of the liquid flow type, a sealed vitreousenvelope, a. baflie mounted substantially across the interior of saidenvelope and dividing it into two chainbers, a restricted opening nearthe bottom of said bafile and connecting the two chambers, an electrodesealed through the wall of from saidenvelope, a second electrode sealedthrough said envelope, a wall of vitreous material sealed tosaidenvelope about and terminating above said second electrode, mercuryin said envelope connecting with first said electrode and extendingbetween the limits of said wall about second said electrode andconnecting with saidsecond electrode in a closed circuit, positionot'the switch and in an open circuit osition of the switch positioned at alevel elow that of the upper limit of said wall about second saidelectrode, said battle bein hinged for movement in the line of liquidflow in the switchand means comprising an extension of said electrode toprevent movement of said battle on its hin e from its normal positionacross the envelope in the direction of said wall about said secondelectrode.

9. In an electric switch of the liquid flow type, a sealed vitreousenvelope having mercury therein, a bafile mounted substantially acrossthe interior of said envelope and dividing it into two chambers, saidbaflle being cut away near its bottom to provide a restricted openingfor the flow of said mercury therethrough and being cut away near itstop to provide a restricted opening for the flow of gas therethrough toattain equilibrium in said switch, an electrode sealed through the wallof said envelope, a second electrode sealed through said envelope, awall of vitreous material sealed to said envelope and about andterminating above said second electrode, said mercury connecting withfirst said electrode and extending between the limits of said wall aboutsaid second electrode and connecting with said second electrode in aclosed circuit position of the switch and in an open circuit position ofthe switch positioned at a level below that of the upper limit of saidwall about said electrode, said baffle being hinged to permit movementin the line of flow of mercury in the switch in one direction only.

10. In an electric switch of the liquid flow type, a sealed vitreousenvelope having mercury therein, a bafile mounted substantially acrossthe interior of said envelope and dividing it into two chambers, saidbafile being cut away near its bottom to provide a restricted openingfor the flow of said mercury therethrough and being cut away near itstop to provide a restricted opening for the flow of gas therethrough toattain equilibrium in said switch, an electrode sealed through the wallof said envelope, a second electrode sealed through said envelope, awall of vitreous material sealed to said envelope and about andterminating above said second electrode. said mercury connecting withfirst said electrode and extending between the limits of said wall aboutsaid second electrode and connecting with said second electrode in aclosed circuit posian electrodesealed into said envelope and terminatingtherein and another electrode sealed into the envelope and terminatingin said cup, and a body or mercury in said envelope in quantitysufiicient to extend into said cup and to connect said electrodes in aclosed circuit position of the switch and to form separate pools aboutsaid electrode in an open circuit position thereof.

12. In an electric switch of the liquid flow type, a sealed vitreousenvelope, a battle formed separate from the envelope and spacedtherefrom mounted substantially across the interior of said envelopedividing it into two chambers, said battle having formed therein arestricted opening near the bottom to connect the two chum bers. anelectrode sealed through the wall of said container, a second electrodesealed through said envelope, a wall of vitreous material sealed to saidenvelope about and terminating above said second electrode, mercury insaid envelope connecting with first said electrode and extending betweenthe limits of said wall about second said electrode and connccting'withsaid second electrode in a closed circuit position of the switch, and inan open circuit position of the switch positioned at a level below thatof the upper limit of said Wall about said second electrode said battlebeing hinged to permit its movement in one direction only from itsnormal position across said envelope.

'13. In an electric switch of the liquid flow type, a sealed vitreousenvelope, :1 batlle formed separate from the envelope and spacedtherefrom mounted substantially across the interior of said'envelope anddividing it into two chambers, said baflie having formed therein arestricted opening near the bottom to, connect the two chambers. anelectrode sealed through the wall of said container, a second electrodesealed through said envelope, a wall of vitreous material scaled to saidenvelope about and terminating above said second electrode, mercury insaid envelope connecting with firstsaid electrode and extending betweenthe limits of said wall about second said electrode and connecting withsaid second electrode in a closed circuitposition of the of the switchand in an open circuitv switch and in an open circuit position of theswitch positione at a level below that of the upper limit of said wallabout second 'said electrode said bafile being hinged to osit1ontype, asealed vitreous envelope, a baflie switch and in an 0 formed separatefrom the envelope and spaced therefrom mounted substantially across theinterior of said envelope and dividing it into two chambers, said bafliehaving formed therein a restricted opening near the bottom to connectthe two chambers, an electrode sealed through the wall of saidcontainer, a second electrode sealed through said envelope, a wall ofvitreous materlal' sealed to said envelope about and terminating abovesaid second 'electrode, mercury in said envelope connecting with firstsaid electrode and extending between the limits of said wall aboutsecond said electrode and connecting with said second electrode in aclosed circuit position of the n circuit position of the switchpositione at a level below that of the upper limit of said wall aboutsecond said electrode and means comprising an extension across saidelectrode to prevent movement of said battle and said hinge from itsnormal position across the envelope in the direction of said wall aboutsaid second electrode.

15. In an electric switch of the liquid flow type, a sealed vitreousenvelope having mercury therein, a baflie formed separate from theenvelo e and spaced therefrom mounted substantially across the interiorof said envelope and dividing it into two chambers, said ba-fiie beingcut away near. its bottom to provide a restricted opening for the flowof said mercury therethrough and being cut away near its top to providea restricted opening for the flow of gas therethrough to attainequilibrium in sald switch, an electrode sealed through the wall of saidcontainer, a second electrode sealed through said envelope, a wall ofvitreous material sealed to said envelope and about and terminatingabove said second electrode, said being hinged to permit movement in.the

line of flow of mercury in the switch in one'direction only.

16. in an electric switch of the liquid flow type, a sealed vitreousenvelope having mercury therein, a baflie formed separate from theenvelope and spaced therefrom mounted substantially across the interiorof said envelope and dividing it into two chambers, said bafile beingcut away near its bottom to provide a restricted opening for the flow ofsaid mercury therethrough and being cut away near its top to provide arestricted opening for the flow of gas therethrough to attainequilibrium in said switch, an electrode sealed through the wall of saidcontainer, a second electrode sealed through said envelope, a wall ofvitreous material sealed-to said envelope and about and terminatingabove said second electrode, said mercury connecting with first saidelectrode and extending between the limits of said Wall about saidsecond electrode and connecting with said second electrode in a closedcircuit position of the switch and in an open circuit position of theswitch positioned at a level below that ofthe upper limit of said wallabout said electrode, said bafllc being hinged to permit movement in theline of flow of mercury inthe switch in the circuit making directiononly.

Signed at Hoboken, in the county of llud son and State of New Jersey,this 24th day of November, A. D. 1924.

WARREN R. WALKER.

